We want you to take part in our study!
Welcome to our website, where we offer understanding and support to pregnant women with cardiovascular and/or vascular problems.
Pregnancy is a life-changing event, with physical, emotional and social implications. If you also have a heart and/or vascular condition, there may be additional concerns and uncertainties.
Fortunately, care for pregnant women with these conditions has improved significantly in recent years. Healthcare providers now have a better understanding of how to provide the best clinical care and the risks associated with pregnancy with different conditions.
Some important changes include:
- Pre-conception counselling: Any woman with heart and/or vascular disease who wants to become pregnant is advised to see a cardiologist before becoming pregnant.
- Preparation for pregnancy: Before a woman with cardiovascular disease becomes pregnant, the impact of pregnancy on her body is assessed, including an estimate of the risk of complications.
- Multidisciplinary team: It is advisable to have a specialised team made up of specialists such as cardiologists, gynaecologists, paediatricians, anaesthetists and psychologists ..... This team meets regularly to make recommendations for optimal care during pregnancy and childbirth.
- Follow-up after childbirth: It is important for women with heart and/or vascular disease to be followed up after childbirth. For this reason, it is advisable to visit the cardiology and gynaecology clinic after childbirth to monitor physical recovery.
More information about the study
Aim of the study
In this study, we aim to monitor the wellbeing of pregnant women with heart and/or vascular disease.
Despite advances in medical care, the psychosocial impact of pregnancy on women with heart and/or vascular disease is not yet fully understood. For this reason, the University of Antwerp has initiated a study in collaboration with several university hospitals in Belgium. This study measures the outcomes of pregnant women with these conditions at various points during and after pregnancy.
What will your participation involve?
- You will complete a short questionnaire (max. 10 minutes) during each trimester of pregnancy.
- After delivery you will complete a more detailed questionnaire including questions about your experience.
- Three times after the birth you will complete a short questionnaire (max. 10 minutes) to measure your wellbeing.
You can choose to complete the questionnaires online or on paper.
What are the benefits?
- You will be monitored by a team of specialists who will look after your overall wellbeing;
- You can monitor your own health through online questionnaires;
- Giving pregnant women with cardiovascular disease the attention they deserve;
- You can help shape the future of care for pregnant women with cardiovascular disease.
Who can take part?
- You have been diagnosed with heart and/or vascular disease before becoming pregnant;
- You are pregnant and your pregnancy has been diagnosed by a gynaecologist.
In collaboration with
